General Health Blogs

A new smartphone app functions as an ECG machine, remotely transmitting a live ECG—or even an echocardiogram slice—to a medical care provider, fast-tracking treatment. But this technology can have serious downsides.

New smartphone apps help to track vital signs, such as your heart rate and blood pressure readings. Here’s my take on them and the dangers of Wi-Fi exposure from cellular phones.

As many of you know, I've long been concerned about Wi-Fi radiation in schools. So, you can imagine how thrilled I was to hear that France made a move to strongly discourage the use of Wi-Fi in their schools until it's proven "safe for human consumption." Here's why it's such a concern...

We’ve long worried about the downsides of coffee. But new research indicates coffee drinking can have a positive impact on health—even lengthening your life.

At this point, I've logged quite a few frequent flyer miles. But there's one issue that has me concerned every time I approach the security checkpoints—radiation frequency (RF) exposure from the airport scanners. Here's why...

There's an old adage that "breakfast is the most important meal of the day," but that doesn't mean putting just any fuel in your tank is a healthful meal. Here are some dos and don'ts for making healthy breakfast choices...

Even with all the benefits that supplements and medication can provide, I frequently have to remind patients about the basics of good health—and that includes exercise. Even a minimal amount of regular activity can have immediate benefits--and it's never too late to start. Here's how...

There’s no question that this has been the season for controversy on a wide variety of topics. In the land of healthcare, there’s more in the hot seat than our healthcare system itself—including a brewing controversy on whether or not we need our vitamins. Here's what you need to know...

Music can do more than help get you into the holiday spirit. It can heal mentally and physically. Create a soundtrack for the holidays and good health.

It’s easy to overindulge during the holidays. Protect your digestive system with a little bacteria—the good kind, of course. Find out how to supplement your holiday diet with probiotics.

Sometimes the best gifts come straight from the heart. Rethink your gift-giving this holiday season.

Cordless phones, cell phones and other wireless devices could be causing your blood pressure to rise, according to a new case study. Avoid technology health hazards and learn how to unplug.

The power or positive thinking can lead to a longer life, according to a new study. People with less enjoyment in their lives were three times more likely to die before their happier counterparts. Learn more about how your attitude can impact your health.
 

Before you turn to a tanning bed to maintain your summer glow this winter, consider the health risks. For instance, studies show that indoor tanning is linked to malignant melanoma, the deadliest kind. Learn other reasons why indoor tanning isn't worth the risk.
 

The next time you sit down to a breakfast of fluffy pancakes, consider the health benefits of real maple syrup. The golden sweet liquid contains cancer-fighting properties and more. Find out more about the good stuff in this good stuff.

Caring for a sick loved one can take an emotional toll and there comes a time when you realize that you can't do it on your own. If you are facing this difficult situation, here are a few ways to help you cope.
 

For a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, heading back to school can be tough. Try these natural strategies to improve your ADHD child's success this school year.
 

The presidential elections will be stressful for the candidates. They should find time to listen to music or exercise on the campaign trail. Here are more tips on reducing stress that they (and you) can use.
 

Whether you are traveling by plane, train or automobile, try a few simple strategies to stay heart healthy during your summer vacation.
 

Not enough of us are donating blood. The national blood supply is at emergency levels. Donating blood helps you as much as it helps those who need it. Find out what it means for your heart health.
 

Brightly colored veggies get more attention than pale cauliflower, but it is packed with just as many health benefits like cancer protection and a good dose of vitamin C. Find out what else this super food can do.
 

The hazy, lazy days of summer can come with a few health hazards like stings, bruises and burns. Learn five all-natural tricks to keep bugs and other summer spoilers at bay.
 

If you have teenage children, or grandchildren, I hope you'll help me share this important information. Many young people have taken up smoking hookah, which they think is less dangerous than cigarettes. But the fact is, it can be 100 times worse for their health. Here's why.

Do you have age spots? Those large freckels or brown spots are the result of free radical damage to skin cells. The good news is that by eating the right foods you can minimize sun damage. Here's how.

Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day—but no matter what we call it, this day is for remembering all of the men and women who have defended our nation.

Regular colonoscopies don't reduce your risk of colon cancer as much as we thought. But you can take prevention into your own hands with these 8 simple steps.

Worried that all that dining out on summer vacation will take a toll on your waistline? Consider a healthier spin on summer vacation with a trip to a medi-spa. Find out how you can relax and renew in a healthy environment.

Try out Dr. Sinatra's list of antioxidant-rich foods that help knock out disease and slow down aging.

Harvard researchers found that optimism and joy can protect your heart, lowering the risk of strokes and heart attacks.

Spring allergies are a real issue for many people. Big Pharma would like for you to think the best remedy for seasonal allergies is popping a pill. But nature has far simpler, natural ways to get relief.

For years, movie theatre popcorn has gotten a bad reuptation. But a new study shows this popular treat may be helathier than many fruits and vegetables. Here's why.

Many people don’t realize is that grilling can be hazardous to your health. The first step to better grilling is to not use charcoal, which can release carcinogenic agents into your food.

The Dateline report raised questions about the quality and safety standards in the dietary supplement industry. This is something that concerns me as well. 

A recent study on vision conducted a dietary analysis of more than 38,000 women and found that those who ate one or more fish meals a week were decidedly less likely to develop age-related macular degeneration.

I recently heard a story about a colleague, named Ashley, that’s such a perfect example of the healing power of an optimistic attitude that I wanted to share it with you.

The Israeli parliament has given blanket approval to a bill requiring cell phones there to bear the following health alert: “Warning—the Health Ministry cautions that heavy use and carrying the device next to the body may increase the risk of cancer, especially among children.”

Many people ask their other doctors about the supplements and often, receive negative or indifferent answers such as “they may cause harm,” or “there’s no science.” Here's how to respond if it happens to you.

Just because you may not have a "Valentine" is no reason not to foster love in your life, and that's why I want to share this inspiring story.

High heat from an open flame creates highly carcinogenic compounds that are similar to the oxidized cholesterol found in your bloodstream, as well compounds that have been found to increase your risk of several of the most common kinds of cancer.

Here are 8 things Dr. Sinatra does to keep his own life fit and healthy...

Here's a New Year's resolution you can keep and easily live with all year long...

Adequate vitamin D levels protect you against heart disease, type 2 diabetes, dementia, cancer, and more, yet many doctors still give their patients misinformation when it comes to this critical nutrient.

Keep your skin soft and healthy all winter long with Dr. Sinatra's top skincare tips.

Dr. Sinatra's top five stress-reducing tips to maintain your health throughout the holidays...

Beware of these types of gifts, or if you must buy them, use them with caution.

Ten habits that can save your life.

Here are four medical tests that you should get. They have surprising benefits for your health.

Enjoy the holiday season but end up 5 lbs lighter. Here's how...

Here are 5 tips that will help make swallowing any pill easy.

Adopt an "attitude of gratitude" this Thanksgiving holiday. It will be one of the greatest gifts you can give your emotional and physical health.

Our children are extremely vulnerable to harmful elecgtro-magnetic radiation in the environment. Here's what every parent should know...

New research showing that mercury in fish is not a significant contributor to heart disease is encouraging, but Dr. Sinatra continues to advise caution when it comes to certain species.

Get Dr. Sinatra's tips for protecting your skin during the winter months.

Dr. Sinatra provides insight and perspective on faulty research that questions the value of nutritional supplements.

With the high price of organic foods, how do you know what you're buying is organic or not. Check out Dr. Sinatra's tips...

Every student in medical school takes the oath, “to first do no harm.” Yet, many doctors unwittingly do harm every day by blindly prescribing tests that have the potential to do more harm than good.

Here are 7 effective ways to not only relieve headache pain, but to stop them from occurring.

Dr. Sinatra introduces visitors to some of his fellow colleagues who specialize in the impact of technology on the body.

We all know an apple a day can keep the doctor away, but other fruits including pears have been found to reduce the risk of stroke. Find out more...

Most doctors fail to test for vitamin B12. As a result, many patients are walking around with a deficit of this critical vitamin.

My short answer is that microwaves are bad news. I shun them because of the electromagnetic radiation they emit.

Get Dr. Sinatra's views on the book The China Study.

We can all get caught up in the busyness of our hurried everyday lives, and forget to make time to get together with those who live in such close proximity to us. But when push comes to shove, good neighbors are those that are there when times get tough.

I place a lot of stock in the honest effort of hard-working individuals, which is the foundation of this great country.

I thought I knew all there was to know about fruits, but this summer I learned of a refreshing summertime drink that’s rich in all the right stuff with a fruit I had underestimated: watermelon.

Medical research has found that companion animals significantly increase longevity in people with coronary artery disease who have a heart attack, reduce blood pressure, and enhance the opportunity to meet other people.

Dr. Sinatra weighs in on marine-based omega-3 fish oil.

A reader wrote and asked, “I’m diabetic and have to stay away from sugar. What’s the scoop on artificial sweeteners?” My answer is that the scoop is negative.

There are several foods that you should avoid most of the time because they can wreak havoc on both your heart and your health in general. Here they are.

Learn how to protect yourself from this noxious weed—and what to do if you come into contact with it.

Don't get bitten by Lyme disease. For your summer safety, use these strategies to repel ticks.

This spring was a very rough tick season, and despite his vigilance, my son-in-law was diagnosed with Lyme disease. Then it hit our grandson.

When I was growing up, there were flags flying from the porches of every house in the neighborhood on July 4th. I still see this today and the image never fails to touch my heart. 

While many of us might find taking multiple supplements challenging, it’s vital to remember that proper nutrition is essential to good health. Here are a few guidelines to make taking your vitamins easier and more effective. 

These days many of us live in a nutritional depression, brought about by nutrient-poor and calorie-rich processed foods, and also by the depletion of minerals in our soil. 

Right now, a sunscreen can call itself “broad spectrum” even if it only protects against UVB rays, but still lets all the harmful cancer-causing UVA rays through.

In this economy it can be tough to afford to take a trip. The good news is that it isn’t the distance you travel, or the amount of sites you see, that gives you these incredible health benefits.

Recently, I saw an article about Americans and their vacations. While many other countries mandate four weeks of paid vacations (or more!), many Americans take one week of vacation or less. 

This week, a panel of from the World Health Organization released their findings that cell phones may cause cancer. This is huge and very important news—and confirms something I’ve been saying for years, that EMFs from cell phones are a danger.

Going to as many health expos as I do, I appreciate walking through the exhibit halls and seeing the latest developments in health-boosting technology. That was the case years ago when I got to sit in a small sauna made with special cured wood and an electrical system that was perfect to install right in your own home.

Even though this Memorial Day we will be at our daughter’s wedding, my wife Jan and I love this kickoff-for-summer weekend. 

The other day, I had an interesting experience. I ran into a couple I know at our local shopping mall. They were telling me how they’ve followed my advice to the letter, eating all the right foods, taking nutritional supplements, and exercising. Yet, over my friend’s wife’s arm was a bundle of clothes—straight from the dry cleaners.

Are you an optimist or a pessimist? Research has found that optimists are not only happier, they’re also healthier, live longer, and recover from illnesses better than those with less cheery outlooks. 

I wanted to share some important information that I just presented at The Toronto Health Expo.

This Sunday is Mother’s Day, which ever since I was a small child was one of my favorite holidays. My mom and I were extremely close, and many of my fondest memories revolved around time spent with her. 

I want to share an amazing experience I had at a health seminar I recently gave at Hain’s Creek Baptist Church.

As you get ready to pull out the grill, you want to make sure what you’re cooking up is safe for your heart.

Although I have an Italian name, my skin is Irish!  I’m extremely fair. So, like many of you, I have to be super careful about the sun.  I also have a family history of squamous cell carcinoma.

Today, I’m pleased to welcome a guest blog from a long-time colleague of mine, Dr. Ann Louise Gittleman, a highly respected health pioneer, and an award-winning author of more 30 books, including the book Zapped about EMF exposure. 

You’ve all heard it: diet sodas are bad news. Now, as we’re heading into the hotter days of summer, I encourage you to add sports drinks and sweet teas to the “don’t drink it list”…

Walter Breuning who was the world’s oldest many, died on Thursday at age 114. When asked, Breuning credited his longevity to four things: embracing change, eating just two meals a day, helping others, and working as long as you can.

I like to post an inspiring or interesting quote, usually heart health- or medicine-themed, and I love the feedback I get from readers. I also enjoy sharing some of the more memorable comments. 

I wanted to share some interesting news from a presentation I just made at the ExpoWest conference.  Humans and horses have a lot in common!  Both need CoQ10 and other heart nutrients.

One hundred years ago, cancer was low on the list of dreaded diseases. Today, the pendulum has swung far and wide and it’s said that one in three people will get cancer.

To neutralize radiation exposure from X-rays, fallout, nuclear plant emissions, and even airplane travel, here’s the simple formula.

When it comes to eye health, it is essential that you get plenty of carotenoids in your daily diet—lutein and zeaxanthin in particular.

Macular degeneration is an eye condition that results in functional blindness. It affect the macula, the “bull’s eye” center of the retina that records the images that you see and sends them via the optic nerve to your brain. 

There are some really simple measures that you can take to protect your eyes.

Every year, people make resolutions to get healthier, lose weight, and generally clean up their acts. And one of the keys to accomplishing all three of those goals is detoxificaiton.

Over the years, you’ve probably learned the hard way that dieting simply does not work. Almost any of the popular weight loss programs will show results in the short term, but when you return to your old eating habits, the pounds come right back.

Resolve to be more optimistic, because optimism is a key to optimum health and life.

Research confirms that pets can be good for your health.

We’ve all heard the expression, “Give a man a fish, and you have fed him for today; teach a man to fish, and you have fed him for a lifetime.” This is so true.

Reduction of net benefit in 40- to 49-year-old women is due to harms associated with regular mammography screening, including “psychological harms, unnecessary imaging tests and biopsies in women without cancer, and inconvenience due to false-positive screening results."

Dr. Sinatra is a big fan of resistance training, and used this great form of exercise to prepare for hip replacement surgery. He then focused on strengthening his upper body, as he knew he’d need it while using a walker postoperatively for a while.

Rather, resistance training is defined as any exercise that involves contracting your muscles against some form of external resistance—a dumbbell, rubber exercise tubing, or even your own body weight. And, according to the American College of Sports Medicine, the goal of resistance training is “to gradually and progressively overload the musculoskeletal system so it gets stronger.”

You would think that the older you get, the more vulnerable to heartbreak and unhappiness you become—but research has shown just the opposite.

Instead of an occasional juice meal to detox, Dr. Sinatra and I have made juicing a regular breakfast ritual.

About six months before my scheduled hip surgery, I started to “train” for it, much as I trained for wrestling matches during my athletic heyday. Here’s the 5-step plan I followed.

There are natural options to help relieve pain.

The dangers of excess refined carbohydrate and sugar consumption are downright endemic in our society. Sugar causes a myriad of health concerns from obesity and diabetes to high blood pressure levels and cardiovascular problems. Excess sugar is even a major culprit in anxiety, depression, fatigue, and pain.

Our bathrooms may be a minefield of toxins. Some of the compounds in things like our daily shampoos contain chemicals that have never been tested for safety in terms of human consumption. Others may contribute to physical dilemmas ranging from cancer to infertility.

How to grill foods without increasing their carcinogenic potential too much.

In response to the health dangers of radition exposure, San Francisco is poised to pass a law forcing cell phone manufacturers to identify the level or amount of radiation the cell phone emits.

If you want a page turner that will also inform you about solutions to invisible health risks, this book is a must read. Because what you can’t see CAN hurt you—especially when it comes to wireless radiation.

Osteoporosis affects 75 million of us in the US, Japan, and Europe. And women are four times more likely to develop low bone mass than men.

Cats living with smoking owners have double the rate of feline leukemia, more breathing problems like asthma, and higher rates of oral cancers (when cats lick their smoke-laden fur, grooming themselves delivers toxins to the mouth). Dogs cohabitating with smokers are at risk for lung and nasal cancers.

According to Chinese medicine, the teeth overlay a complex meridian system that represents a map of the human body—which means addressing a problematic tooth can assuage a more systemic problem. 

The power of prayer and positive thinking in healing.

The story of the Rainbow Bridge for pets can help ease the stress and grief of losing a beloved pet.

Cell phone use do's and don'ts.

The Sinatras spend an evening at the home of Suzanne Somers mingling with MDs and others who had contributed to her recent book Knockout: Interviews with doctors who are curing cancer... and how to prevent it in the first place.